Draft:Turgai Uprising (1916—1917)

Turgai Uprising of 1916—1917 — Kazakh uprising in the Turgai Oblast during the Central Asian revolt of 1916. This uprising mixed with the February Revolution of 1917.

Uprising
In the Turgai Steppes, the insurgent movement proved to be so powerful that dealing with it posed a very difficult task for the authorities, as almost all conscripts were drafted and fighting on the European Fronts. Leading the insurgents were military commanders Amankeldi Imanov and Alibi Zhangildin. Amankeldi managed to create a disciplined cavalry unit with well-established coordination among its parts. At the peak of the uprising, about 50,000 troops rallied under Amankeldi's banners. In October 1916, approximately 20 detachments were formed only in the Turgai and Irgiz Districts. Amankeldi enforced strict discipline in the detachments, taught insurgents to use weapons, and demanded they learn the rules of engagement.

There were also clashes in the areas of Tatyra, Akchiganak, Dugal-Urpek, and Kuyuk. In the second half of February 1917, fierce battles took place at the location of Amangeldy's headquarters. During these battles, Kazakh insurgents encountered the February Revolution.

The Russian Army failed to suppress the uprising in the Turgai Oblast. In February 1917, the number of rebel groups sharply increased, and Russian units were forced to retreat and leave the Kazakh Steppe.

Siege of Turgai
On October 22, 1916, 15,000 Kazakhs besieged the Turgai city. During the 27-day siege, the rebels learned that they were being opposed by a detachment led by A. D. Lavrentyev consisting of 17 companies, 1800 Cossacks, 4 cavalry squadrons with 18 guns, and 10 machine guns. The insurgents confronted them, and on November 16, a battle took place near the Topkoyma station. The Kazakh detachments retreated to the Batpakkar region (150 km from Turgai) to preserve their main force. From there, partisan raids continued until February 1917.

In January 1917, Amankeldi attempted to capture Turgai, but due to unequal forces, he was forced to retreat.

In late 1917, Imanov's insurgents once again attempted to take the city. Turgai was captured, and Amankeldi finally established full control over the city.

Battle of Dogal
On February 22-23, 1917, between the Dogal tract and the Urpek settlement, the final battle between the Turgai rebels and the Russian Imperial forces took place. The Kazakh militia occupied the territories of the modern cities of Kyzylorda and Astana.

The 13th Orenburg Cossack Regiment, led by V.N. Turgenev, opposed the rebels. A Russian regiment totaling 600 soldiers with 4 guns and 6 machine guns fought against Imanov from February 18 to 21. Battles took place near Aul №6 of the Karakuginsky Volost and in the Kumkeshu tract. During one of the battles, a Cossack from the 13th Orenburg Cossack Regiment was killed.

Afterwards, the Cossacks launched an attack on the Kazakhs. The rebels began to retreat, but the Russian detachment began to pursue them. The Kazakhs lost up to 400 people killed.

From February 22 to 24, the final battle took place in the area of Dugal-Urpek.

On February 27, the Russian troops retreated to Turgai.

Results
In connection with the fact that the uprising in the Turgai Oblast turned out to be the most centralized and prolonged, the uprising in February 1917 transformed into the February Revolution. At the same time, Amankeldi Imanov became increasingly influenced by Bolshevik ideas.

Results of the uprising and revolution:
 * Overthrow of the tsarist regime in the territory of Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
 * Dissolution of the Russian Empire.
 * Abdication of Nicholas II from the throne.